Tray.



PATBNTED JUNE 2, 1903'.

- A; H.' GARDE. y

* TRAY.

APPLIOATIQN FILED .nu 1, 1902.

Ano M0521..

VVl itnesses. 1

Avttorn'ey;

UNITED STATES Patented June 2, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

TRAY.

SPECIFICATION fming pari'. 0f Letters Patent N0. 729,568, dated'J' une 2, 1903. l Application filed May 1, 1902. Serial No. 105,531. (No model.)

T all whom it 11m/y con/cern,.- Y-

lo provements in trays, and refers more especially to a device which can be used both as a tabl and its object, among other things, is to so construct the device that it may be used as a waiters tray when the sides are folded and locked together and as a table when the sides are down flat, the whole then forming a single unbroken surface.

To these and other ends my invention consists in the tray having certain details of conzo struction and combination of parts, as will be hereinafter described, and more particularly pointed ont inY the claim. l

Referring tothe drawings, in which like n umerals of reference designate like parts in the several figures, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device complete with the parts in the relative positions occupied'by them when the device is used as a tray. Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the device with the sides 3o down, so as to form a table; and Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modification of my invention, the corn er-pieces bein integral instead of hinged. KYi In carrying ont my invention I provide a base portion 1, and hinged to each of the four edges thereof are thel side pieces 2 2', and hinged to the opposite ends of the sides 2 are the corner-pieces `Any of the well-known forms of mechanisms for movably securing 4o one part to another can be used instead of the hinges shown in the drawings.

It will be observed from Fig. 2 that when the side and corner pieces are down they form an extension to the base portion 1, the whole then forming a flat level surface which can be used asa table. .The device is transformed into a tray by folding `the side pieces to the position shown in Fig. 1 and the cornerpieces' around the 'side pieces 2, fastening 5o the whole together by the hooks 5.

For conveniencein carrying the tray the hand-holes 4 are provided in the sides 2.

Either of the side pieces can be extended beyond the remaining side pieces a sufficient ranges the devics'atrayvaidfplaesata#r blegcover therein with the edges overhanging 5 the said vside pieces, after which the dishes l containing the food are placed on that part of the table-cover resting upon the base portion 1. The tray is now carried to the room and placed upon any convenient support therein, the sides thrown down to the position shown in Fig. 2, the table-cover straightened out, andthe table, with the food thereon, is set for the guest without further ceremony or delay. After the meal is finished the waiter again folds the sides without disturbing the dishes, and the tray, with its contents, is readily removed. It is apparent that during transit Vnone of the contents of the tray can fall off and be broken.

If desired, any-of the many forms of folding legs can beattached to the under side of the base portion 1 to form a support.-

There are many minor changes and alterations that can be made within my invention aside from those herein shownand suggested, and I would..v therefore have it understood that I do not limit myselfto the exact construction herein shown and described, but

claim all that falls fairly within the spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new, and by Letters Patent, is-

' A tray having a base member; side members hinged to each-.side of said base member, which form an extension thereof upon each side when in theirdown position equal to the height of said side members; and cornerpieces' hinged to said side members which close the open spaces between the ends of said side members, the said base, side and corner members forming, when intheir open position, a dat rectangular tray, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix in presence of two witnesses.

` ADA H. GARDE.

desire to secure my signature Witnesses: l

GEORGE E. HALL, J. PETER DEJoN.

ICO 

